WESTMINSTER’S top man in Scotland visited Greenock yesterday — and insisted that changes being made to the way the country is governed would be good for the people of Inverclyde.

Scottish Secretary David Mundell said he had a ‘constructive’ meeting with Inverclyde Council and told the Telegraph that every promise was being kept over transferring more powers to the Scottish Parliament, including the ability to top up tax credits.

He spoke after holding talks with local authority leader Stephen McCabe at the Municipal Buildings.

Mr Mundell said: “People have said they want a strong Scottish Parliament within the UK, and this is being delivered.

“It will have responsibility for £11billion of income tax and £2.7b of welfare spending, so the people of Inverclyde and around the country will see the difference in their pay packets and in welfare.

“There is a really good relationship between Inverclyde Council and the Department for Work and Pensions that is helping people into work, and this is being seen in the recent fall in the number of Inverclyde people on jobseeker’s allowance.

“We have political differences with Inverclyde Council, but we are completely in agreement on the need to support as many people as possible into work.” Also in attendance at the talks were deputy council leader Jim Clocherty and senior officials, including chief executive John Mundell, pictured.

Councillor McCabe said it was a cordial and constructive meeting where he raised the issue of welfare reform.

He said: “We pointed out that 55 per cent of Inverclyde families receive tax credits, so cuts could have a major impact on them and our economy.

“The introduction of universal credit has been relatively smooth, but it’s early days and things could change after Christmas when temporary jobs are finished.

“We told Mr Mundell that we are having to spend £3 million to help people cope with welfare reform.” The Scottish Secretary insisted welfare reforms were necessary so that people did not get more on welfare than others who are working. Mr Mundell said: “We are always willing to listen.” The meeting also discussed the UK Government’s proposed changes to trade union legislation.

Cllr McCabe said: “We made it clear that the council is concerned about how trade union legislation will affect our strong and positive relations with unions, and made a general plea for more power to be devolved to local authorities.” Top Tory Mr Mundell said a number of measures were still being debated, but he believed there was widespread public support for the core aim of preventing disruptive strikes taking place after ‘a very small number of people’ voted for them.

The meeting was one of a series Mr Mundell is holding with councils right around Scotland.